Number of issues remain unsolved for Government in wake of Shatter resignation

In the end, it was not the misleading remarks about garda whistleblowers on the floor of the Dáil; it was not the misuse of confidential information against a political opponent during a live television debate; and it was not the attempt to play down concerns that the Garda watchdog was being monitored.

What did it for Alan Shatter was the political reality, that he had become the dead weight pulling the Government down and would have to be cut loose before dragging it into another period of damaging headlines.

A much-anticipated report will be published today by barrister Sean Guerin which examines how Mr Shatter — as justice minister — and his department handled claims of malpractice in the gardaí which they received from a whistleblower, Sergeant Maurice McCabe, at least two years ago.